Tech Titans: Midyear Report Card

Amazon, Google, and other major tech players went on a shopping spree in the first half of 2014. Here's a look at who won, who lost, and why -- along with a peek ahead.

Tech Toys For Summer Fun

(Click image for larger view and slideshow.)

The Internet giants made some big moves to move up in the pecking order over the past six months. The activity seemed frenetic, with billions of dollars changing hands every week. But make no mistake: There was a method to all the madness.

The problem is, all the big players have the same vision. Their tactics and execution may differ, but they all intend to grab and hold our attention. That's how they sell us stuff. And sell ads to others who want to sell us stuff.

The big winners in this game are Amazon, Apple, AT&T, and Google. The biggest losers? eBay, Netflix, and Twitter.

Here's a review of what's gone down so far this year -- and what to expect in the next six months.

Music streaming services took center stage during the year's first half. Apple bought Beats for a jaw-dropping $3 billion, and Amazon launched its homespun Prime Music. Google opened July by disclosing that it had purchased Songza. Twitter tried both making and buying a music streaming service but came up empty-handed each time. (If at first you don't succeed, Twitter…)

Sooner or later, Facebook will need to work its way into the category. The carriers also might be interested. And don't forget Yahoo.

Valuations are high and heading higher: Google reportedly spent several times more on Songza than Apple paid for Beats. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek is going to find it increasingly difficult to fend off investors anxious to pocket their multiplying profits.

Content is king -- provided you can deliver it. AT&T stands to be the big winner here. And Netflix the big loser.

Ever since Netflix locked up the popular House of Cards series, the Internet titans each set out to secure must-see content for their own streaming services. This trend accelerated in the first half of the year. Yahoo Screens picked up the TV show Community after NBC dropped the series it had carried for five seasons. Yahoo is also bidding on Fullscreen, a major content producer on YouTube, and commissioning an original TV series. Amazon is nailing down several original TV series for distribution via its new Fire TV set-top box. Microsoft, Hulu, and AOL are just a few of the other tech giants funding Hollywood projects in exchange for distribution rights.

But as Comcast and Verizon have shown Netflix, it's one thing to have the content. It's quite another to deliver it. Call it Information Super-Highway Robbery. Both service providers are now collecting from Netflix in exchange for reliable streaming. And there's likely more where that came from.

In that regard, AT&T may turn out to be the biggest winner of 2014's first half. If it consummates the DirecTV deal, it will snag one of the most prized premium content properties -- the NFL Sunday Ticket -- and also strengthen the network it has to deliver the content.

Looking forward Netflix can't stand pat if it wants to avoid paying more gate-keepers on the Information Super-Tollway, so watch for a buyout. Or some strategic alliances -- or rising delivery costs.

Other video services aren't immune. When their traffic starts getting noticed, they'll be next. Are you paying attention, Vimeo?

At this point, it should be clear why Google is busily expanding its Google Fiber Internet service. In the first half of the year, Google announced 34 target cities for expansion, with Portland apparently flowering first. Watch for more expansion in the second half.

Consumer devices AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon may control the last mile, but CE devices command that last inch. That's why Amazon,

Mike Feibus is principal analyst at TechKnowledge Strategies, a Scottsdale, Ariz., market strategy and analysis firm focusing on mobile ecosystems and client technologies. You can reach him at mikef@feibustech.com. View Full Bio

We welcome your comments on this topic on our social media channels, or [contact us directly] with questions about the site.

Great points and highlights mentioned here in this article. AT&T and DirecTV was a wise one. I believe the merger will bring leverage to the telecom and TV industry. AT&T will gain national TV exposure in which this can be integrated with selling TVs across the U.S. It's a bundled package deal for the long term.